The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Project has been recognised at a national level at the recent Australian Rural Education Awards (AREAs) in Coffs Harbour.
The project, led by Uni Hub Spencer Gulf, received two awards – the Early Education Award (demonstrating commitment to the provision of quality Early Education in a Regional, Rural and Remote Community) and the Vocational Education Award (recognising innovation and excellence in Regional, Rural and Remote Vocational Education).
The awards, announced at the National Conference for Regional, Rural and Remote Education, are presented annually to recognise excellence in rural education in Australia.
The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Project is led by Uni Hub Spencer Gulf in partnership with BHP, Roxby Downs Children’s Centre, and CQUniversity.
Uni Hub Spencer Gulf’s Early Childhood Education Lead and Copper Coast University Centre Manager Sue Barry said the project exemplifies a commitment to providing quality early education in a remote community, addressing systemic challenges in workforce sustainability and service quality.
“Roxby Downs faces unique issues, including a transient population and a shortage of qualified early childhood educators, which in turn limits childcare availability and impacts on parents’ ability to work,” she said.
“The project recruits residents to undertake the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care, which is a combination of online learning and practical training. The Uni Hub provides wrap-around support to ensure participants receive robust training and mentoring. It gives participants the chance to apply their learning in a real-world setting without leaving their community.
“As a result we successfully trained 10 Roxby Downs residents, with six securing employment, significantly reducing childcare wait times and enhancing service quality.
“This initiative not only resolved staffing shortages but also empowered residents by providing valuable qualifications and career opportunities.”
The Roxby Downs Early Childhood Project received two of the three AREA awards presented to Uni Hub Spencer Gulf. The ‘Explore’ Career & Industry Immersion Event, held in Port Lincoln earlier this year, was recognised with the Regional, Remote, Rural Schools Partnership Award for demonstrating a successful partnership for school students outcomes in a regional, rural and remote community of praxis.
PICTURED: Society for the Provision of Education in Rural Australia (SPERA) president Chris Ronan, second from right, was pictured presenting the Regional, Remote, Rural Schools Partnership Award to Uni Hub Spencer Gulf’s Copper Coast University Centre Manager Sue Barry (left), Roxby Downs Coordinator Hannah Samson, Regional University Centres director CQUniversity Professor Rob Brown and Uni Hub CEO Anita Kuss.
